Memory Care Excellence | Nason Center Ohio Living Breckenridge Village

We are a Memory Care Center of Excellence certified through the Hearthstone Institute’s I’m Still Here® program, which leverages environmental adaptations, specialized communication techniques, staff training and life enrichment programs to focus on engagement for people experiencing all levels and types of dementia. To receive certification with the I’m Still Here® program, every staff member in our Memory Care Center completed extensive training to become a Dementia Specialist. Following their training, they worked individually with Hearthstone Institute staff over multiple visits to turn the principles learned in training into opportunities for meaningful engagement that respects residents’ choices and opinions.

Space inside the Memory Care Center at Ohio Living Breckenridge Village has been thoughtfully designed with a layout that minimizes confusion, which reduces stress and agitation as a result. Tailor-made activities and amenities like outdoor gardens and transportation to community outings also enhance the memory care patient experience.

Our memory care area utilizes Behavior-Based Ergonomics Therapy (BBET), which consists of four therapies customized to each individual resident's interests and capabilities, as a complement to group activities: music therapy, video therapy, stimulating therapy and memory prop therapy. Lucynt, an interactive gaming experience, is another active engagement measure our teams use to encourage movement and provide cognitive stimulation.

Ensuring inclusive holiday gatherings

Family comes in all shapes and sizes, and whether you’re hosting or attending a family gathering, it’s important to prioritize inclusion so everyone feels welcome. A phrase used in our “I’m Still Here” approach to memory care encourages that “there is no one right way to have a family visit.”

Here are some best practices to keep in mind this holiday season when relating to family members or friends who may be living with dementia.

Prepare for the visit: As you prepare for the visit, choose to focus on the positive, and try not to bring the day’s baggage or holiday stresses along with you. To spark conversation, consider bringing along tangible items you can share and discuss. If your loved one has trouble communicating verbally (or is unable to do so), do something task oriented.

With other family members and friends, be sure to explain successful communication techniques and ask everyone to introduce themselves. Do not ignore the disease, and explain Alzheimer’s to children, so they can support a welcoming environment. Lastly, if someone offers to help, say “yes” – many hands make light work.

Keep stimulus to a minimum and consider doing an activity during your visit: Small, intimate gatherings are helpful for people living with dementia. As best you can, try to minimize loud music and unfamiliar loud noises (video games, children’s toys) to avoid confusion, distraction or over stimulus. Giving your loved one something to hold and/or a choice of an activity can also be an engaging way to connect with them during a visit. Be sure to demonstrate when providing activity instructions and don’t worry about doing it “correctly.”

Brush up on helpful communication techniques: Above all, treat your loved one with dignity and respect. Speak slowly and distinctly, approaching from the front and making steady eye contact. Ask one question at a time and provide ample time for them to process the information. Try not to “test” by asking things like “Do you remember?” Non-verbal communication including smiles and hugs are also effective and meaningful elements to incorporate.